Ignition apparatus



Jn- 8, 1935, R'. w. BEcKl-:T'r

IGNITION APPARATUS FiledApril l2i, 1952' :s sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNE R.' w. vaEcKE-rT- IGNITION APPARATUS Jan. 8, l 1935.

Sheets-Sheet. 2

Filed Aprilzl, 1952 lill 7.4;'. ATroRNEYs" Jan. s, 1935.

R. w. 4xalaczmr'r IGNITION APPARATUS 'Filed April 21, '19:52

s sheets-snet 5 .Ff 7.13. f

Fi?. 1E. 22?- /Q ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 8,l 1935 yUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.v I

ses.

Application Api-u 21, 1932, seria No. mais 6 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to ignition devices for liquid fuel burning apparatus, and particularly to such devices wherein an electric spark is caused to pass between a pair of spaced elecl trodes to ignite the fuel. `'I'here is one serious disadvantage in the use of electric spark ignition devices for liquid fuel burning apparatus, such ascii burners, and that disadvantage is that frequently deposits of carbon accumulate between the spark electrodes of the ignition device while the apparatus is in operation. Such carbon deposits may short circuit the ignition device, and frequently result in disastrous explosions, due to the fact that when there is a demand for the burnerV to operate, the burner will discharge the fuel which mayvaporize to such an extent prior to ignition that when the carbon deposit is broken, such as by the weight of fuel depositedl on the same, and 20V the ignition device does function, an explosion will occur.

One of thev objects of the present invention is to provide an ignitiondevice of the spark type wherein the above disadvantage will b'e over- 25 come.

Another object is to provide a spark ignition device for liquid fuel burning apparatus of such new and improved construction that the spark electrodes are f reed from short circuiting deposits at the instant thatI there is a demand for a spark to be passed therebetween.

Another object is to provide a spark ignition device for oil burning apparatus wherein suitable means is bodily moved between the electrodes at the instant a demand for an initial spark is created. u A further o bject is to provide a spark ignition device for oil burning apparatus with an automatically controlled means for quickly freeing the electrodes of objectionable shortcircuiting carbon deposits at the time a demand for ignition is created. j l

With the above and other objects in view, which will be apparent from the following deings, the present invention consists in certain features lof construction and combinations of parts which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention ap- Dertains. f In the drawings which illustrate suitable embodiments of the present invention for oil burn` ing apparatus of the so-called rotary and gun or iet types. Figure 1 is a side elevation of. a spark ignition tailed description and the accompanying draw' device suitable for rotary oil burners wherein the fuel is ignited at a-distance from a distributor, portions of the hearth element being broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 isla rear elevation of the device 'shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 isv a section taken approximately on the linev 4 4 of Fig. 3, showing the actuator inf10 detail; Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on line 6--6` of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a plan view of a modined construction suitable for a rotary type oil burner;

- Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the modied device shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a section taken 'approximately on une 9-9 01m. s; 2

Fig. 10`is a plan view of a portion of an oil burner of the gun type, a portion of the housing being broken away to show the ignition device;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 10, the housing being removed and the actuator shown above the apparatus;

Fig. 12 is an end elevation of the device shown in Fig. l0; and

Fig. 13 is an enlargedside elevation of the ignition device shown in Fig. 11. f 30 Referring to thel accompanying drawings. in

which like numerals refer-to like partsthroughout the several views, the ignition apparatus l shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, is particularly adapted for oil burning furnaces of the type wherein the fuel is distributed horizontally from I a vcentrifugal distributor to impinge against a substantially continuous refractory hearth element extending around the ire box of the fur-v nace adjacent the furnace wall, and wherein the fuel is ignited at this hearth element.

The ignition device here shown in Figs. 1 to 6 is incorporated in one of the segments 1 that comprise the hearth element. The particular segA ment shown in Fig. 1 is of a stepped construction having la groove 2 formed at the inner side of the first step 3 and at the bottom of the fuel impact wall 4, the segment being provided with an inwardly extending portion 5 which assists'in supporting a part of the ignition device.

. The upper step 6 of the element lis recessed and provided with an embedded electrical conductor 7, such as a carbon block or the like, which block rests in the recess in a manner tobe flush with the impact wall 4 so that it may form one in sf of the ignition electrodes. This block I of oonducting material is connected with a conductor ythat'extends through the extending portion 5 of the segment 1 and which is enclosed within a suitable insulating tube 12.

The two conductor rods 8 and 11 are connected with a suitable source of electrical energy which is controlled to produce a spark between the electrodes when'a demand for ignition is created,

such as by the functioning of a room thermostat which also causes the operation of the fuel distributing unit.

As previously stated, a deposit of carbon may accumulate during the operation of the oil burner between the two electrodes '1 and 10 to an extent sumcient to short-circuit the same, with the vresult that an explosion may occur due to the faill `ure of the ignition device` to properly function at the time a demand for ignition is created. In

other words, the fuel may become vaporized during the initial starting period and then exploded by a delayed spark which may occur through ,breakage of the carbon deposit due to the weight of the fuel that may accumulate thereon after the fuel distributor is set in operation.

There is shown in Figs. 1 and 9 certain new and I novel devices which will function instantly at the time a demand for ignition is created and break away any objectionable carbon deposit that may 'have caused the electrodes to-short circuit.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, this last mentioned device takes the form of a swinging arm 13 which lis mounted upon the upperena of a pivot bar 14 that extends through-a suitable opening formed in the extending portion V of the refractory element 1, as more clearly shown in Fig. 6. 'This arm 13 is shaped to have a stepped portion 16 spaced above the ilrst stepv 3 of the element 1 and with an upright portion 17 having a curved outer face 18 conforming in shape to the fuel impact wall 4., The arm 13 is movable in such a mannerV that the upright portion .thereof'will swing between the electrodes 7 and 10 to lust clear the same and rupture any accumulated carbon de-V posit that may have accumulated between these electrodes. This movement takes place at the instant a demand for ignitionis created, and the arm will move from the position shown in solid outline to the position shown in broken outline illustrated in Fig. 2, the arm remaining in the actuated position shown in dottedoutline until the ignition period is over, at which time it will automatically move back to its normal inoperative position.

'I'he arm 13 isactuated in theform here shown c by means of an electromagnet device19 which. al'- though not shownhere, is suitably controlled by themechanism which controls the operation of the electrodes, that is, the mechanism which starts the sparking at the .beginning of the ignition period and stops the sparking oi' the electrodes at the termination .of' the ignitionperiod.

The electromagnet device 19 comprises, as s ho'wn in Fig. 4, a cup-shaped housing 20 secured to a supporting bracket 21 that'is mounted 0n the under side of the refractory element 1. This housing 20 carries a coaxial pin 22, the portion of the pin lying within thehousing being circular and provided with a transverse slot 23, which circular portion recei `es a shading core 24 having a transverse end 4portion 25 fitting within the slot 23. 'Ihe annular winding 26 is mounted on a spool 27 which surrounds the core 24 and the armature 28 is telescoped` within. the core 24.

.This armature is provided -with a.l coaxial bore 29 which receives a coil spring 30, one end of the spring 30 being seated against the pin 22 and the other end being seated against the bottom of the bore29. y

vThe amature 28 is arranged to directly actuate the actuator or pivot bar 14 ofthe swinging arm 13 through an annular groove 31 which receives a lip portion 32 that is formed on the pivot bar 14, asv shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The groove 3l and lip portion 32 are `so arrangedthat during movement of the amature 28 the pivot bar 14 will be rotated to swing the arml 13;)A

The operation ofthe device just-described is relatively simple and is as follows. When the oilV burner apparatus is inoperative the current to the ignition device is, of course,`shut off, but at the instant there is a demand for operation of the apparatus, the ignition circuit, as in conventional may have accumulated between the electrodes.

The spring 30 resists this 4movement so that im mediately at the termination of the ignition period through the operation of a time limit switch which opens the ignition and electromagnetic circuits, the spring 30 will cause the armature 28 to move toits normal position and thereby move the swinging arm 13v to its normal inoperative position. y Y

Inthe construction shown in Figs. '1, 8 and 9, Ythe device for breaking awayl any accumulated carbon deposits between the electrodes 'I and 10 is arranged to have a reciprocatory lmovement rather than a swinging movement. This device comprises an angle-shaped nger 40 of suitable metal mounted upon the end of avertically reciprocable f rod 41, the rod 41 being mounted on a laminated armature 42 arranged below the hearth segment ing 52. Air under pressure is forced through the 1 types of 'electrodes may be used and they may be arranged in many different manners. In any event, the electrodes are spaced apart and are arranged near the opening inthe discharge nozhousing 52. In thisftype of apparatus two spaced electrodes 53are employed to terminate just -above the opening 54 in the nozzle 50. -Various zle. As shown in Figs. 10 to 13 the present inven ranged during swinging movement of the element to pass directly between the electrodes 53 in order to rupture any carbon deposit that may have accumulated therebetween.

The element 55 may be connected by an actuator rod 57 to a pivoted lever 58 which may extend throughithe housing 52 and be actuated directly by an electromagnet device 59 such as the device previously described in detail and which, if desired, may be mounted externally of the housing 52, as shown.

It is obvious that many'diiferent arrangements of electrodes and carbon deposit rupturing devices may be employed with respect to ignition devices for both rotary or gun type liquid fuel burning apparatus, and further to a third typey of apy paratus commonly called a pot type apparatus.

In each'instance, however, lthe present invention includes a pair of spaced electrodes for igniting fuel,va means arranged topass bodily between such electrodes and a suitable apparatus, such as an electromagnet device for actuating that means inthe manner described.

The apparatus of the'present invention is simple in form and can be economically manufactured, yet it provides an extremely efficient safeguard for spark ignition devices used in connection with oil burning apparatus of any type, in that it will' instantly break carbon deposits away from the ignition electrodes at the instant there is a demand for ignition.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit of my invention, andit is to be understood that my invention is limited only in accordance with'the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: l

l. In a spark ignition device for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a pair of spaced stationary electrodes, a pivotally supported shaft, an am secured to said shaft and having a portion thereon movable directly between said electrodes upon pivotal movement of said shaft, an electromagnetic device having an annular energizing winding and a coaxial armature, said armature being connected with said shaft to rotate said shaft in one direction upon energizationof said winding, and spring means acting in opposition to said armature for rotating said shaft in the opposite direction upon de-energization of said winding.

2. In a spark ignition device for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a hearth segment having an upstanding portion provided with a fuel impact wall, an electrode embedded in said segment and having an electrode portion substantially ilushl with said impact wall, a vsecond electrode spaced from the electrode portion of said first electrode to provide a spark gap therebetween, means mov.-

' abLv supported by said segment to move through the spark gap between said electrodes to rupture movement and for pivoting any depositfthat may have accumulated in said spark gap,'and electromagnetic means for actuating said means. l 'I 3. In a spark ignition device for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a hearth segment having an upstanding portion -provided witha fuel impact Y wall, an electrode embedded in said segment and having an electrode portion substantially flush with said impact wall, a second electrode spaced from the electrode portion of said first electrode to provide a spark gap therebetween, means movably supported by said segment to move through the spark gap between said electrodes to rupture any deposit that may have accumulated in said spark gap, and electromagnetic means for actuating said means, said flrst means having a face portion conforming in general shape to the shape of said impact wall.

4. In aspark ignition device for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a hearth segment having an -upstanding portion provided with a fuel impact wall, an electrode embedded in said segment and having an electrode portion substantially flush with said impact wall, a second electrode spaced from the electrode portion of said first electrode to provide a spark gap therebetween, a pivotal shaft extending through said segment, an arm secured to said shaft and having a portion extending upwardly therefrom to pass between said electrodes upon pivotal movement of said shaft, and an electromagnetic means for causing pivotal movement of said shaft.

. 5. In a spark ignition device for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a hearth segment having an upstanding portion provided with a fuel impact wall, an electrode embedded in said segment andl having an electrode portion substantially flush with said impact wall, a second electrode spaced from the electrode portionof said first electrode to provide a spark gap therebetween, a pivotal shaft extending through said segment, an arm secured to said shaft and having a portion extending upwardly therefrom to pass between said electrodes upon pivotal movement of said shaft, electromagnetic means having an armature associated with said shaft to pivot said shaft in one direction upon energization of said electromagnetic'means, and spring means for resisting such said shaft to normal position.

' 6. In a spark ignition device for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a pair of spaced stationary electrodes, a pivotally supported shaft, an arm secured to said shaft and having a portion there' on movable directly between said electrodes upon pivotal movement of said shaft, an electromagnetic device having an annular energizing winding and a coaxial armature, said armature having a recess therein and said shaft having a lip thereon extending into said recess whereby said armature upon energization of said winding may rotate said shaft in one direction,v and spring means resiliently acting in opposition to said armature' to rotate said shaft in the opposite direction upon de-energization of said winding to thereby return said shaft and attached arm to normal inoperative position.

` l REGINALD W. BECKEI'I. 

